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IBEX Scull Cap
Long Term Report - August 30, 2005
Contents
Reviewer Information [return to top]
Name: Chuck Kime
Nickname: Fuzzy
Age: 39
Gender: Male
Height: 5' 8" (1.72 m)
Weight: 229 lb (104 kg)
Email address: ckime AT nelsononline DOT com
City, State, Country: Upper Darby (Philadelphia suburb), PA, U.S.A.
Date: August 30, 2005
Additional Information applicable to this test
Hat size (US): 7 – 7¼, depending on haircut
Head size: 21 – 21¾ in (53 – 55 cm), depending on haircut
Product Information [return to top]
Manufacturer: IBEX Outdoor Clothing
Model: Scull Cap, #815
Year of Manufacture: 2005
URL: http://www.ibexwear.com
Listed weight (average): 2 oz (57 g)
Measured weight (medium): 1.4 oz (40 g), scale accurate to 0.1 oz
Color: Ice Blue
MSRP: $30 US
Features (from web site) [return to top]
- Climawool Lite® in a low-profile design that sheds snow and cheats the wind.
- Softshell Fabric
- Merino Interior
- Average Weight 2 oz
- Low profile, lightweight Climawool® softshell performance beanie for:
- Nordic skiing
- Winter running/cycling
- Snowshoeing
- Ultra-racing
Description [return to top]
The Scull Cap is part of IBEX’s Ibextremities series, made with a Climawool soft shell and a Merino wool lining. It is meant to fit snugly on the head, covering most of the ears. The Scull Cap is Ice Blue inside and out, with an IBEX logo on the front.
For a more detailed description, including photos, please see my Initial Report.
Field Testing [return to top]
Our Boy Scout troop camps monthly, generally in the wooded areas of southeastern Pennsylvania and the Pocono Mountains. Almost all of these outings included a minimum of 2 nights of camping, with temperatures ranging from lows of 25 to 30 ºF (-4 to -1 ºC) to highs of 95 to 100 ºF (35 to 38 ºC). Elevations ranged from sea level to approximately 1,000’ (305 m). We added monthly hikes to our schedule, which also included up to 2 nights of camping.
I took the cap along on all trips since my Field Report, although I found myself pretty much wearing it only for sleeping as the weather warmed up. The cap is comfortable in any weather 60 °F (15 °C) and below, and does not interfere with my sleeping. I will continue to carry the cap on any trip where the temperatures will drop below about 60 °F (15 °C), and continue to wear it throughout the winter months.
Things I was looking for:
- Fit. Does it fit me? Is the sizing on the web site accurate? Does it stay on well in windy conditions?
- Fabric. Is the Climawool Lite durable (I have no prior experience with the fabric)? Does it stretch? Does it fade? Is it windproof? Waterproof? Does it pill, pull, or snag readily?
- Warmth. How cold can it get out and still keep me warm? Does it ventilate well?
- Comfort. Am I constantly aware of the cap, or does it just seem to disappear on my head? Does the headband effectively keep sweat out of my eyes? Can I wear it comfortably while sleeping?
- Washability. Are there special instructions? Are they easy to follow? Does it dry well? Does it hold much dirt in the first place?
My findings:
- Fit. The cap fits well and stays put.
- Fabric. I have noticed no wear, stretch or fading. The cap seems quite windproof, at least in the conditions I have experienced with it to this point, and I can see no damage to the fabric.
- Warmth. The Scull Cap has kept me warm to just below freezing, which was as cold as I experienced in the field with it.
- Comfort. Once the cap has leveled itself out on my head, I more or less forget that it is on. I have not had any sweat in my eyes, and I have worn it comfortably while sleeping every cool night I have been out.
- Washability. So far I have not noticed any soiling.
Things I like [return to top]
- Light.
- Compact.
- Comfortable.
- Warm.
Things I don't like [return to top]
- None yet.
Backpacking Background [return to top]
My family started car/trailer camping when I was about 5. I spent 17 years in the Army Reserve fine-tuning my packing methodology – when I got out, I was down to a fairly respectable 75-80 lb (34-36 kg) load in my ALICE pack. Advancing age, arthritic knees and a car accident have led me to seriously rethink my gear choices, experiment with tarps and hammocks, make some of my own gear, and take a closer look at my ‘toys’ with an eye for multi-use and light weight. I now have a sub-30 lb (14 kg) 3-season load, and should be able to reduce it to 20 lb (9 kg) – before food, fuel and water – without much more effort.
Thank you for your time.
Chuck Kime
a.k.a. Fuzzy
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